MSSU men's basketball heads to Missouri Western

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball program will head to St. Joseph on Saturday to take on the Missouri Western Griffons. Tip off is slated for 5 pm.

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (5-4, 2-1 MIAA) vs. Missouri Western (3-6, 1-2 MIAA)

Date: Saturday, December 12, 2015
Tip-Off:5:00 pm
Location: St. Joseph, Mo.
Site: Missouri Western Fieldhouse (3,270)
Series Record: Southern leads 45-43
Coaches:Jeff Boschee (25-15 overall/at MSSU). Brett Weiberg (24-39 at MWSU/overall* - 4-year Record)

Media Coverage

MSSU Radio:FM 99.7 KBTN - Mike McClure - Play-by-play
Internet Audio:www.mssulions.com
Live Video:www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter:@mososports; @mssumensbball

The Series

Southern leads the series with Western 45-43. The, Lions have won the last 13 out of 16 match-ups. Southern is 34-11 at home, but just 11-32 in St. Joseph. Southern defeated Western in the final regular season game of 2007 in a winner take all game to gain a spot in the MIAA Tournament. Western dominated the series from 1988-1999 when the Griffons won 16-of-21 games. The Lions, however, have won 19 of the last 30 games. The 88 games played against Western is the third-most the Lions have played against a single school, behind Pittsburg State (95) and Southwest Baptist (92).

Taevaunn Amongst The Nation's Best

Taevaunn Prince leads the country in defensive rebounds per game, while ranking fourth in free throws attempted, fifth in free throws made and total rebounds, and sixth in rebounds per game. He also ranks 25th in both total points and double-doubles, 27th in points per game and 54th in total field goals.

NCAA Individual Stat Leaders

Taevaunn Prince isn't the only Lion that is amongst the National Leaders. Austin Wrightranks 44th in three pointers attempted, 44th in minutes per game, 48th in three pointers per game and 30th in total three pointers.

NCAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions rank 50th in free throws made and 13th in three point field goal percentage.

MIAA Individual Leaders:

Prince leads the MIAA in defensive rebounds per game, free throw attempts, free throws made, double-doubles, rebounds per game, total points and total rebounds, ranking second in total field goals made and third in both total minutes and points per game. Austin Wrightleads the MIAA in total minutes, while ranking second in three point field goals per game and minutes per game, third in three point field goal attempts and fifth in three point percentage. DJ Feitl ranks fourth in total steals and fifth in steals per game.

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

The Lions rank second in the MIAA in free throws made, three point defense, three point percentage, total three pointers made and total rebounds. The team ranks third in free throw attempts, fourth in defensive rebounds per game and fifth in both three pointers per game and three point field goal attempts.

Record Breakers

Senior shooting guard Austin Wright set two records for the Lions last year, including the single-season three point record (79) and the single game three-point record (9). He also owns the single-season three point percentage mark (.493) and is also the current career-leader in that category (.456).

Record Breakers II

Wright is climbing the charts in career three pointers made at MSSU. He moved into the top five last year and currently sits in third at 202 career treys, after passing Keith Allen. He needs 12 to pass Jason Adams for 2nd place and 23 to break Skyler Bowlin's record of 224.

Three Point Streak

The Lions failed to make a three-pointer at Arkansas Tech in their match-up in 2012-13. It was the first time in 403 games that Southern had failed to hit a three pointer, dating back to Jan. 20, 1999 against Missouri S&T. The Lions have had a three in 92-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.

Taevaunn's On Fire

Taevaunn Prince is averaging 24.3 and 11.2 rebounds this season. He has led the Lions in rebounding every game but one, and in points in seven of nine.

Mr. 200

Austin Wright had seven three pointers against Central Oklahoma to give him 199 in his career. He currently has 202 and is 23 away from breaking the all-time record at MSSU.

Blocks By The 100

Greg Renfroe picked up his 100th career block this past week against Northeastern State. Renfroe had 62 blocks as a junior, second all-time in single-season blocks at MSSU.

20-Point Man

Taevaunn Prince has scored 20 points or more in every game but one this season.

MIAA Player Of The Week

Taevaunn Prince was named the MIAA Men's Basketball Player of the Week this week. He averaged 27.5 points and 11.5 rebounds last week, helping the Lions to a 2-0 week. It is the second time this year he has won the MIAA weekly award.

Rebound This

Taevaunn Prince has set his career-high in rebounds in two separate games this year, tying the mark of 17 in two of the four games.

Season-Ending Injury

Southern swing man LJ Ross will sit out the 2015-16 season after pre-season knee surgery revealed more damage than thought.

Huge Fan Support

Missouri Southern ranks 11th nationally in average attendance with 1,661 fans per game coming to the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The Lions rank 6th in total attendance.

Go Get Em' Charlie Brown

Sophomore Charlie Brown had a career-high 27 points in a win over St. Cloud State to start the season.

Lions In The D2 Basketball Writers Regional Poll

The Missouri Southern men's basketball program is ranked 8th in the US Basketball Writers Association week two Central Region Poll. Central Missouri is ranked second, while Fort Hays is fourth and Pittsburg State is seventh.

Up Next

Southern will come back home next week as the Lions play host to face off with Emporia State on December 16. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.